Napoli midfielder Valon Behrami is on the verge of joining German side Hamburg for a fee reported to be in the region of £3.5m.
The Switzerland international is believed to have fallen out of favour with manager Rafael Benitez, who is said to have questioned his lack of commitment during training sessions last season.
The 29-year-old has already left Naples and is understood to be on his way to Germany to undertake his medical and discuss personal terms with Hamburg officials in the next 24 hours. He is expected to complete his transfer to the Bundesliga outfit by the end of the week.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentis explained how the Swiss star had become rather misplaced in the side last season under Spanish boss Benitez.
He told Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport: “Behrami was a great warrior and was perfect for Mahamood.
“He suffered a bit after the arrival of Benitez, but has always honoured the blue jersey and for this I thank him.
“Whenever he was on the pitch he always gave the maximum, but he must play the role in which he likes to play. We expect the response of his medical and then for the deal to be completed.”
The former West Ham United midfielder has spent the last three seasons playing in the Italian Serie A after leaving Upton Park to join Fiorentina in 2011. He joined Napoli a year later.
Behrami was part of the Napoli squad that emerged Coppa Italia winners last season. He helped his side defeat his former club Fiorentina 3-1 in the final in May, which was held at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.